Blessing of Fields, Crops, and Gardens

Blessing of Fields, Crops, and Gardens,
by Fr. Joseph Evinger

It is an ancient practice that in the spring of the year the parish priest leads prayers at the church to bless the parishioners’ fields, crops, and gardens.

This weekend after the Vigil Mass on Saturday the 11 ^th, after the 8 a.m. Mass on Sunday in Halliday, after the 2 p.m. central time Mass in Twin Buttes, and at 6 p.m. in Killdeer within the context of Eucharistic Exposition, I will lead the blessings of fields, crops and gardens.

In asking the Lord to bless our land particularly as new growth pops up, we are claiming the land for Christ. His kingdom is being established on earth as it is in heaven.

As you participate in these blessings let us call upon the saints to pray for us so that we may be protected from spiritual harm and one day end up in the perfect land known as heaven. After the blessings go home and sprinkle your property, yards, gardens, and fields with Holy Water asking the Lord to pour his blessings and protection on your family and property. The following prayer would be good to pray.
  This spring, summer, and fall as we work on, walk across, and live on these lands, let us realize that our land is a gift from God. It is a sign of the true land, the safe haven of good fruit that we’ll have in heaven. As we ask him to bless this sign of our true homeland may his blessings elevate our thoughts and conversations which will take place on this land in the coming days.

If for good reason you won’t be able to participate in this blessing, I would be willing to come out to your farm to bless your property. Feel free to bless it yourself too, for the Lord has chosen you as his steward to care for this little portion of his kingdom.

May Christ truly reign on our lands!